NASAA Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law ExaminationClient Investment Recommendations and StrategiesMedium
A client, a 50-year-old professional, is planning for retirement in 15 years. They anticipate needing a stable income stream during retirement. They are concerned about the impact of rising interest rates on their fixed-income portfolio. Which of the following investment strategies would best mitigate this concern?
- AIncreasing the allocation to high-yield municipal bonds.
- BInvesting exclusively in long-duration corporate bonds.
- CPurchasing zero-coupon bonds with maturities beyond retirement.
- DUtilizing a bond laddering strategy.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Utilizing a bond laddering strategy.
A bond laddering strategy mitigates interest rate risk by staggering bond maturities. As short-term bonds mature, the proceeds can be reinvested at prevailing (potentially higher) interest rates, reducing the overall impact of rising rates on the portfolio.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. High-yield municipal bonds carry higher credit risk and may not directly address interest rate sensitivity, though they offer tax advantages.
- B. Long-duration bonds are highly sensitive to rising interest rates, increasing interest rate risk.
- C. Zero-coupon bonds are highly sensitive to interest rate changes due to their long duration, making them a poor choice for mitigating rising rate concerns.
Bond Laddering Strategy
An investment strategy where an investor buys bonds with staggered maturity dates over a period of time.
- Helps mitigate interest rate risk by diversifying maturities.
- Provides regular cash flow as bonds mature.
- Allows reinvestment at prevailing rates, benefiting from rising rates.
Memory trick: A bond ladder lets you climb over interest rate worries.